Last remnant of WTC facade being brought down

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Current News : One Thread

http://www.boston.com/news/daily/26/tradecenter.htm

Last remnant of tower's facade being brought down at World Trade Center

By Verena Dobnik, Associated Press, 09/26/01

NEW YORK -- Work crews on Wednesday had removed part of a seven-story section of steel facade, one of the more striking symbols of the disaster at the World Trade Center, but the last standing bit of the twin towers would not go easily.

"It's real slow because whenever we find a body part, we've got to stop and let them come in and investigate further," said Wayne Fallon, a heavy equipment engineer for Local 15. A four-story section remained standing early Wednesday.

The city said 6,347 people had been reported missing and 287 people had been confirmed dead in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Fallon added, "we still have some hope because as we find some body parts, it makes you feel like maybe with that, you can give a family a feeling of closure, and that's important."

The facade, part of the base of the center's southern tower, has been one of the most photographed scenes of the devastation in lower Manhattan. But civilians hoping to take pictures of it from police barricades a few blocks away were met by new signs warning that cameras and video equipment were forbidden and could be confiscated.

Mayor Rudolph Giuliani issued the order Tuesday, saying the site is a crime scene.

Officer Michael DiFrancisco, standing guard at a barricade, said the ban was also "out of respect for the families and all those concerned."

Giuliani on Tuesday also said single-occupant cars would be barred from entering the city at certain times starting Thursday to ease congestion. The mayor planned to meet with transportation officials Wednesday to discuss details.

Bridges and tunnels into Manhattan were choked with traffic Tuesday while police searched vehicles and inspected drivers' licenses, causing some delays of more than two hours.

The security increase began shortly before Attorney General John Ashcroft told Congress that terrorists may be planning an attack using a truck carrying hazardous chemicals. Twenty people have been charged with trying to obtain fraudulent licenses to drive tanker trucks. Some may have connections to the hijackers who crashed into the Trade Center, the Justice Department said.

History teacher Bill Homan, 27, had been in the financial district taking photos for several hours before he heard about the camera ban, but said he planned to continue. Four of his friends from high school died in the attack, he said.

"On TV, you've got all these preppy guys reporting from ground zero, but that's not even one 100th of what it really looks like," Homan said.

As the rescue crews worked, voters across the city were choosing candidates for mayor.

Billionaire media mogul Michael Bloomberg defeated former congressman Herman Badillo in the primary for the Republican mayoral nomination, and Public Advocate Mark Green will face Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer in a runoff to decide the Democratic candidate.

Giuliani is barred by term limits from running again, though some people, including Gov. George Pataki, suggested writing in his name. The write-in count wasn't available early Wednesday.

At ground zero, the demolition work kicked up dust, and the sounds of drills filled the night. Rescue workers emerging from the area were applauded by bystanders. Nearby, sanitation workers hosed off streets as they prepared to re-open them to traffic.

Giuliani said the remaining chunk of facade had to be removed to make cleanup efforts safer and easier. He reassured residents that as much of the facade as possible would be saved in case it is wanted for a future memorial.

Preserving the ruined remnants of the south tower as a memorial was suggested by Philippe de Montebello, director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Architect Alphonse Diaz, who watched workers tearing it down, approved of the removal.

"It was unsafe. And who wants to be reminded anyway?" he said.

The city on Wednesday was to begin providing free legal assistance to victims' families trying to obtain death certificates even though their loved ones' remains have not been found. That would make it easier for families to collect insurance benefits and workers' compensation and gain access to bank accounts.

Some families also are receiving grants up to $30,000 from the American Red Cross to help with short-term expenses such as mortgages, rent or funeral costs.

The mayor, meanwhile, encouraged residents to get on with their lives.

"Life is risky," Giuliani said Tuesday. "You can decide to live your life afraid of that happening, or you can decide to live your life the way Americans live their lives, which is unafraid."

-- Anonymous, September 26, 2001


Moderation questions? read the FAQ